Colburn School Names New Provost

Nate Zeisler will step into the role, having previously served as Interim Provost

The Colburn School has recently announced the appointment of a new Provost in Nate Zeisler, who stepped into the position in January 2024. In this position, he will be responsible for the school's 2,000 students, who are split across four different music and dance units — as well as Colburn's faculty.

Zeisler was previously the Interim Provost, and prior to that, the Vice President of Partnerships and Planning, during which time he oversaw the development of strategic and community partnerships for The Colburn Center and the Frank Gehry-designed campus expansion of the Colburn School. He was also Dean for Community Initiatives, and in this role, he launched and ran the Center for Innovation and Community Impact (CICI).

Zeisler was on faculty at The Colburn School for 13 years. He taught career development and community engagement courses to students at the Conservatory of Music. Previously, he was also Assistant Professor of Bassoon and Entrepreneurship at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and was a music teacher at Camp Allen Elementary School in Norfolk, VA.

"Nate brings over 12 years of Colburn School experience to the Provost role, and a thorough understanding of our curriculum across the school," said Sel Kardan, the President and CEO of The Colburn School. "He has knowledge of our faculty and academic programs, significant experience working with our board and greater community, and a national profile in community engagement and career development."

"Due to his calm demeanor, thoughtful decision making, and deep understanding of and support of our mission, he has built strong relationships with his colleagues at Colburn and peers in the field."

"It is an honor to take on this position and build upon the work of our former Provost, Adrian Daly," Zeisler said. "As Dean for Community Initiatives for many years, I have helped create a pipeline of learning so that children from our Title I partner schools can experience a performing arts education."

"As I take on the oversight of multiple educational units within the school, I am committed to maintaining the philosophy of ‘access to excellence’ which informs everything we do. Working with our incredible faculty, I look forward to upholding Colburn's philosophy of providing top-level instruction to all who aspire to study music or dance."